1. CUE WORDS or QUESTIONS NOTES WRITTEN
X
X
SUMMARY
X

2. The Cornell Note-Taking System:
1. Use 8 1/2 by 11 paper to create note sheet. Down the left side, draw a vertical line 2 1/2 inch from
the edge of the paper. End this line 2-inches above the bottom of the paper. Draw a horizontal line
across the bottom of the paper, 2-inches above the paper's edge.
2. In the narrow (2 1/2") column on the left, you will write cue words or questions. In the wide (6")
column on the right, you will write lecture notes.
3. In the space at the bottom of the sheet, you will summarize your notes.
There are two versions of the Cornell System:
First Version is the Six R Version:
* Step 1: Record
In the wide column, record as many facts and ideas. Use telegraphic sentences by leaving out unnecessary
words. Use the key words only. Grammar rules are ignored. Write down a streamlined version of the
lecturer's key points.
Step 2: Reduce
Reread your notes and rethink the entire lecture. Reduce each fact and idea in your notes to key words and
phrases. Column on the left write down cue words: the word or phrase that you extracted from the fact or idea.
The key words or phrases will act as memory cues. Column on the left write down cue words.
Cue Words: are key words or phrases written in the 2 1/2" column that act as cues to help you recall a full fact
or idea.
Step 3: Recite
Cover up the wide column of your note sheet, exposing only the cue words or questions in the narrow column.
Read each cue word or question out loud. Then, in your own words, the answers to questions, facts, or ideas
indicated by the cue words.
Step 4: Reflect
Reflection is thinking about and applying the facts and ideas that you have learned. Reflect on the material by
asking yourself questions, such as these: What is significance of these facts? What principles are they based
on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I already know? What is beyond these facts and
principles?
Step 5: Review
The best way to prepare for examinations is to keep reviewing and keep reciting the set of notes that you will
be held responsible for. Every evening, before you settle down to study, quickly review your notes. Pick up a
designated set of notes and recite them. Short, fast, frequent reviews will produce far better understanding
and far better remembering than long, all-day or all-night sessions can.
* Step 6: Recapitulate
Recapitulate is a sure fire way to gain a deep understanding of facts and ideas in your notes, and reviewing
summaries makes studying for exams a breeze. Take the time to summarize your notes, your understanding
deepens - you have the whole picture instead of an assortment of facts. Write your summary in the space
below the horizontal line at the bottom of the note sheet.
Summarize according to one of these plans: 1. Summarize the content of each note sheet. 2. Summarize the
content of the entire lecture on the last note sheet for that lecture. 3. Do both 1 and 2.
The third option yields the greatest reward. When you review your notes for exams, you'll be able to see the
step you took to arrive at your final, lasting page summary.

3. Second Version is the one Q/Five R Version:
* Step 1: Record
In the wide column, record as many facts and ideas. Use telegraphic sentences by leaving out unnecessary
words. Use the key words only. Grammar rules are ignored. Write down a streamlined version of the
lecturer's key points.
Step 2: Question
Reread your notes and rethink the entire lecture. Then formulate questions based on your notes. Column on
the left write down - opposite the fact or ideas in your notes - write a brief question that can be answered with
the information in your notes. Writing questions helps to clarify meanings, reveal relationships, establish
continuity, and strengthen memory. It also sets the stage for studying for exams.
Step 3: Recite
Cover up the wide column of your note sheet, exposing only the cue words or questions in the narrow column.
Read each cue word or question out loud. Then, in your own words, the answers to questions, facts, or ideas
indicated by the cue words. Cue Words: are key words or phrases written in the 2 1/2" column that act as
cues to help you recall a full fact or idea.
Step 4: Reflect
Reflection is thinking about and applying the facts and ideas that you have learned. Reflect on the material by
asking yourself questions, such as these: What is significance of these facts? What principles are they based
on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I already know? What is beyond these facts and
principles?
Step 5: Review
The best way to prepare for examinations is to keep reviewing and keep reciting the set of notes that you will
be held responsible for. Every evening, before you settle down to study, quickly review your notes. Pick up a
designated set of notes and recite them. Short, fast, frequent reviews will produce far better understanding
and far better remembering than long, all-day or all-night sessions can.
* Step 6: Recapitulate
Recapitulate is a sure fire way to gain a deep understanding of facts and ideas in your notes, and reviewing
summaries makes studying for exams a breeze. Take the time to summarize your notes, your understanding
deepens - you have the whole picture instead of an assortment of facts. Write your summary in the space
below the horizontal line at the bottom of the note sheet.
Summarize according to one of these plans: 1. Summarize the content of each note sheet. 2. Summarize the
content of the entire lecture on the last note sheet for that lecture. 3. Do both 1 and 2.
The third option yields the greatest reward. When you review your notes for exams, you'll be able to see the
step you took to arrive at your final, lasting page summary.
* Notes made in class is Step 1 and the summary written during study time is Step 6 are placed in the
wide column of the note sheet.
Which version is better? Give each one a try, and see which one works best for you.